Babies & Kids Blog » Holiday Ideas

Happy Earth Day!  Here is a list of the top 10 economically friendly baby products found on Smarter.com:

                                                         Organic Baby Reference Guide: $24.95

“The Last Word On Raising Baby, Organically.” This book teaches parents how to raise their children in an eco-friendly & stylish environment.

                                               Washable Merino Wool Breast Pads: $14.95

These reusable pads are more comfortable & more environmentally friendly than disposable pads.

                                                              Cariboo Activity Gym: $159.95

This activity gym is made from New Zealand Radiata pine & has a lead free finish.

                                                 Ocean & Tea Onepiece Bundle: $54.95

This baby clothing set is made from soy bean fiber which has “superior warmth retention and moisture transmission.”

                                                                 Roller From Plan Toys: $7.99

This toy is made from eco-friendly rubber wood & contains child-friendly paints & finishes.

                                                          Fleurville Re-Run Messenger: $75.00

The fabric that was used to make this messenger bag is made from use plastic bottles.

                                     Kee-Ka Sweetpea Organic Swaddle Blankie: $25.44

This cozy blankie is made from 100% organic cotton.

                                                Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Skin Creme: $11.99

Burt’s Bees Products are made of natual ingredients.  This cream is 98.71% natural.  Good enough for me!

                                          Contemporary Dollhouse From Plan Toys: $99.99

This dollhouse is made from chemical free & natual rubber wood & finished with child-friendly & non-toxic paint.

                                 Tadpoles Fitted Flannel Sheets Organic Natural Cotton: $29.99

Made with 100% organic cotton & SO SOFT!

Click here for more organic & eco-friendly baby products.

Kids are the easiest to fool.  They believe anything you say so why not run with it on April Fool’s Day?!

1) This is an oldie, but a goody. Grab some change and super glue it to the floor.  Watch as your kids spend their precious time trying to pick it up off the floor.  Kids’ love change even though they don’t fully understand the value of money.

2) My dad used to pull this one on us as kids.  Take a gift box with the cotton lining or cover it with grass & dirt, and poke a hole in the bottom center on one of the shorter sides.  Take one finger from either hand and either use fake blood or make your finger look pale & discolored.  Stick your finger in the box and close the lid.  Go to one of your children & tell then you “found something outside.”  While you both are ”observing” the finger move it quickly towards them and laugh as they scream in horror!

3) Place a rubber band on the kitchen sink spray nozzle so it stays on & when your children turn the sink on to rinse out their dinner dishes they will get sprayed!  And the great part of this prank is that it doesn’t require much clean up because it’s just water.

4) Tell your kid(s) the principal called about their rude & disruptive behavior at school & that they can’t play video games for a month.  The funny part about this one is that your child may apologize or confess to something they did, but thought they didn’t get caught!

5)  Make these yummy, but disgusting looking dirt cup cakes from JustJennRecipes.com for dessert tonight.  It will be a gross surprise at first glance, but they will surely enjoy it after they realize they’ve been fooled!

Ingredients:

Chocolate cake
Chocolate frosting
Crushed chocolate cookie crumbs
Chocola


“Start by baking a chocolate cake. I don’t think I need to give you a recipe here, just make a nice regular old one. Also make a batch of chocolate frosting. Frost the cake and ready your decor. I like to use crushed up cookies for the ‘dirt.’ Just crush up a bunch of Oreos, then throw them in the blender. Yes, cream filling and all.
I also like to add chocolate sprinkles to make it look like little pebbles. Gummi worms are the final creepy touch.”

Image Source: FamilyFun.com & JustJennRecipies.com

Here are some adorable St. Patrick’s Day onesies that will help your baby get involved in the festivities.  All of these t-shirt prints come in baby bibs, infant/toddler t-shirts & kids sizes: 

       Baby’s 1st St. Patrick’s Day Onesie: $13.99                                 Wee Lad Onesie: $13.99

                       Yes I’m Irish Onesie: $15.99                                This is My Green Funny Onesie: $14.99

Ah…don’t you sometimes long for those fun & exciting days when you would get a MILLION Valentine’s day cards and candy GALORE!  Now you can watch as your children do.  :)  In the spirit of the holiday and because I love vintage style everything enjoy these adorable vintage Valentine’s Day cards from the Vintage Valetine pool on Flikr.com:

To see the entire gallery of Vintage Valentine’s Day cards click here. 

The best Valentine’s Day gifts are the ones that are homemade!  It shows that you took time out of your day to make something special for them vs. just running inside a store to grab a generic gift.

FamilyFun.com has some great arts & crafts ideas for Valentine’s Day.  Here are some of my favorites:

Valentine Butterflies

What You Need:

Sticks of gum
Licorice Strings
Construction paper
Scissors
Heart Stickers
Tape

Instructions: 

1. Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place.

2. Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker. Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

Clip Hearts

What You Need:

Craft foam hearts
Hot Glue
Hair clips like the one pictured
Scissors
Colored card stock
Marker

Instructions: 

1. Arrange two or three craft foam hearts as you like and hot-glue them together. (Draw and cut your own hearts, using our templates, or check your craft store for precut foam hearts.)

2. Glue the hearts to the wide end of the hair clip and let the glue set.

3. Cut a heart from the card stock. Write your message on the heart, then clip the barrette to it.

Crayon Hearts

What You Need:

Crayon pieces
Heart-shaped metal cookie or muffin tins
Double-sided foam mounting tape
Scissors
Colored card stock
Marker

Instructions: 

1. Heat the oven to 250°.
2. Fill each mold with crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes. Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips.

3. Once they’re cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.

4. Use small pieces of foam tape to stick each heart to a 3-inch circle cut from card stock then add your message.

FamilyFun.com has a ton of more arts & crafts ideas for Valentine’s Day & all of your favorite holidays.

Click here for kids’ arts & crafts supplies.

Here are two of my favorite Valentine’s Day recipes for kids from KraftFoods.com:

Forget-Me-Not Cones                                  

What You Need:

1 cup cold milk
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
10 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, cushed, divided
1 pkg. (1-3/4 oz.) COMET Cups (12 cups)
12 Marshmallow Flowers

Instructions:

POUR milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Let stand 5 min. Add whipped topping and 3/4 cup of the crushed cookies; stir gently until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

SPOON about 1/3 cup of the pudding mixture into each ice cream cup just before serving. Sprinkle evenly with remaining crushed cookies to resemble dirt in flower pots. Flatten tops slightly with back of spoon.

TOP each with a Marshmallow Flower.

Cupid Cups

What You Need:

1 square BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
2 cups boiling water, divided
2 pkg. (4 serving size each) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
1 1/2 cups, cold water, divided
Ice cubes
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
Assorted Valentine sprinkles & candies

Instructions:

DRAW a heart design or write a Valentine’s Day message in each of eight (6-oz.) clear plastic cups by piping melted chocolate onto inside of each cup. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.

STIR 1 cup of the boiling water into 1 pkg. of the dry gelatin mix in medium bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in 1 cup cold water; pour evenly into prepared cups. Refrigerate 1 hour or until gelatin is firm.

MEANWHILE, stir remaining 1 cup boiling water into remaining package of dry gelatin mix in medium bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to remaining 1/2 cup cold water to measure 1 cup. Add to gelatin; stir until thickened. Stir in whipped topping with wire whisk until well blended. Spoon into prepared cups. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Decorate with sprinkles. Store leftover desserts in refrigerator.

Click here for more great Valentine’s Day recipes from KraftFoods.com.

This Op-ed I found on Courant.com prompted me to search for arts & crafts gifts as an alternative idea to toys.  If you are paranoid about all the toy recalls and want to make sure your kids are safe this year why not give them gifts that will help develop their creative minds.  Here are some ideas:

Sticker Assortment:  $49.95 for 40 sheets

As a kid I was CRAZY about stickers!  They are fun to collect, trade with  friends, or use to be creative on just about everything.

Super Foam Stamping Sticks: $6.95

These stamps are easy for kids to hold and come in 12 “kid friendly” designs.

They also come in letters:  Easy To Grip Uppercase Abc Stamps 

Easy Origami 2008 Calendar: Folda-a- Day: $11.99

This calendar starts with basic origami folds & by the end of the year you will have skills to fold more “technical” origami models. 

Parents: I suggest purchasing a pack of assorted colored origami paper so you can learn these skills with your child as they go.  It will be a great family bonding experience. 

Design Your Own Canvas Box-Shaped Bags: $17.95 Makes 12

Maybe your child will grow up to be a famous bag designer!

Sport Ball Photo Frame Magnet Craft Kit: $6.95 Makes 12

These sports frames are great for birthday gifts for grandparents or other family members.

Coupons for stores selling these products:

Free Shipping on orders of $60 or more - Enter coupon code:  RRRZC06 

20% off $60 or more - Enter coupon code: RETPY08B

For more arts & crafts supplies click here.

This is for the moms out there that just delivered and are trying to lose that unwanted baby weight.  Our Smarter Home & Garden blogger Michelle gives some gift suggestions that help maintain your weight, healthy body & mind. 

Smarter Home & Garden Blog:  Top 5 Fun (and Healthy) Last Minute Holiday Gifts!

It’s that time of year again.  Well, actually, we all should always be in the giving & generous mood, but the “season of giving” is here.  One great and easy way to give is by going to Toys4Tots.org.  Here you can find your nearest toy drop location, request a toy for children of another family in need, get information on how to hold your own Toys 4 Tots event, and donate vehicles and/or money.

I think getting your little ones involved in philanthropic activities at a young age definitely builds character.  Having your children sacrifice at least one of the many toys they are so fortunate to have will make them appreciate you and the sacrifices you have made for them so they can have a great & memorable holiday season.

Check out these cute vintage Halloween cards I found on Retro Crush:

You can find some vintage cards at HalloweenTownStore.com.

 Check out all the cards at Retro Crush here.